Campus Spotlight: Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University is breaking academic ground as the state’s only all-STEM public university. Established in 2012, FPU welcomed its first class of students in the fall of 2014. Almost 10 years later, this young but vibrant school is helping shape the future across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
FPU will also kick off the 2024-25 academic year with a new president, Dr. G. Devin Stephenson, who previously held the top post at Northwest Florida State College, where he oversaw notable advances and growth in STEM areas, including nursing, radiology and new programs like medical lab technology.
Located in Lakeland, FPU’s main campus spans 171 acres and includes the iconic white-domed Innovation Science Technology building with its louvered roof that moves with the sun to provide passive lighting to the second-floor atrium. The 162,000-square-foot facility houses 26 classrooms, 11 technology labs, an auditorium, faculty offices and an 11,000-square-foot student commons area.
According to U.S. News and World Reports 2024 Best Colleges Rankings, Florida Polytechnic:
- Holds the #1 spot nationally on the list of Top Public Schools.
- Ranks #1 among Best Colleges for Veterans.
- Ranks #2 among Regional Colleges in the South.
- Was named the #9 Best Value College in the nation among public colleges and universities.
- Ranks #40 among Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (where a doctorate is not offered).
Other notable distinctions for FPU include:
- Offering 12 undergraduate programs and four graduate programs
- Having a total enrollment of 1,618
- Boasting a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1
- Being located within 60 miles of 70% of Florida’s 15,000 high-tech companies
Campus life at FPU also has a unique “invent it yourself” vibe with more than 35 clubs and intramural sports teams representing a wide range of interests from chess and swimming to robotics and astronomy.
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